Uh oh...
There's been a silly little rumor that I've known about for some time, and I didn't really give it any attention, like most other rumors (and there are plenty more).
But now I've discovered that this particular rumor
has in fact reached some folks whom it potentially
could affect. So I'd like to say a word on two on the matter, and put their minds at ease.
So, I'm addressing anyone who got my Filipino wood that I sold earlier this year.
The rumor is that its not
really Filipino wood (not sure what its supposed to be instead, considering how unique and unusual it is).
I'm happy to share photos
from the Philippines,
in the Philippines. Photos of
trees, photos of
wood, photos of
me with that wood (including a lovely Super King China-market grade chunk in my lap). Photos of the DENR approval papers for the wood, photos of the package (with confirmable DHL tracking number that shows the package weight, package content description, the origin and destination).
Basically... proving it is indeed Filipino wood.
That is, of course, assuming I'm not a genius who had foreseen these rumors would arise at some point in the future and therefore decided to pose for photo shoots across the islands of the Philippines, just to one day refute them. Don't even get me started on how one would even manage to smuggle such wood INTO the Philippines (1 of the 5 hardest countries to sneak raw wood into/out of).
This batch of wood was THE most ethical, THE most legal, THE most traceable batch of agarwood that has ever been harvested in the history of agarwood harvesting. At least to my knowledge.
A customer of mine told me that there is a way to track down the exact GPS coordinates where a photo was taken, and that it is something that cannot be faked.
So if anyone
who bought this wood (and I don't really care about anyone else's opinions or doubts) would like this confirmation, I would encourage you to get together, appoint one person who knows how to pull out such GPS data from photos, and I am happy to send them to him/her. And with the condition that they are not shared with any one else. I don't like being put on a trial stand, and don't like to give any satisfaction to folks who'd like to put me up there (i.e. let them continue holding on to their opinions). So the photos will go to that one person who can then confirm the GPS coordinates of where those photos were taken.
Yes, I am aware that these GPS coordinates would reveal the locations of some of the tiny pockets I spent so much time, energy (errm, and money) to find. But I'm not worried, because these places are
so dangerous that its not like I'd be giving away a huge secret for free. So the GPS information would not help my 'competition' in any way for that reason.
Again: this is
ONLY for folks who got some of the wood.
As for some of the other rumors, you're welcome to believe them. Because they bear no consequence to the product you have in your hands. Rumors such as... the photos of me in the jungles are 'fake', I guess that either means photoshopped or a 10 minute photo shoot in a local park (those who have seen some of the jungle bed time photos, tree felling photos etc, shh... don't share them, I will re-request not to give the rumor-mongers the satisfaction). Some other amusing rumors too, he he, again, I don't mind them continuing on. There are even some that have been in circulation for a couple years, and I sometimes enjoy laughing about them with others. We all need a good laugh every now and then, life can otherwise be so dull.
Anyone who did NOT get the wood, I would politely request not to participate. I don't need any tongues clucked on my account, nor any snide remarks/attacks on those responsible for starting/spreading the rumors, and
most certainly not another online oud war breaking out.
This is
strictly for people who got the Filipino wood. Thank you.
To the rumor-mongers, all I can say is... you have no idea what I risked losing. And more importantly, what I DID lose because of the Philippines expeditions. I'm not bothered by the opinions you decide to insist on holding (although it does make me sad). I am only concerned about false rumors about products that
reach those who
got those products. Because those folks don't deserve that.
Footnote to the power of ∞ (my posts require them, as they are misinterpreted more than any others' for some reason): please guys, don't let this escalate. I could have mentioned all this privately to the folks who bought this wood from me, but more people got some and then split it with others, than I had thought. And that's the only reason I am posting this publicly here.
If this escalates, I think the online oud community has no hope for recovery from the sickness that's been ailing it of late (obsession with oud 'politics' and he-said-she-said, more than obsession with oud). Either that, or I am a hopeless case, who has an amazing knack for starting silly online wars without wanting that.